kis karan itne rangon se yari kis karan ye dhang
jitne rang bhi chaho zist mein bhar lo maut ka ek hi rang

nam-o-numud se itni duri thik hai lekin aakhir kyun
sare jahan se qaus-e-quzah ka rishta apne aap se jang

pal mein dhajji dhajji bikharne wali aisi hai ye zist
ek se ziyaada bachchon ke hathon mein jaise kati patang

umr bita di apnon aur ghairon ke naqsh banane mein
jab apni taswir banana chahi phike pad gae rang

main ek likhne wala mujh ko batana yar ahmad-'parwez'
lauh-o-qalam se aage bhi hai kya ye duniya itni tang